Marxists probably laugh gleefully at this Washington Post headline: “Macy’s offers corporate workers a ‘valuable opportunity’: In-store shifts.”
My friends on the left have been talking about this a lot: Of course there is a worker shortage, because finally employees can refuse jobs that don’t pay a decent wage. Greedy capitalists aren’t in charge any more.
Don’t even try to analyze that logic. And let’s not dip our toes into the political waters.
Let’s instead talk about Thanksgiving.
It is fitting, because Macy’s has long been associated with the holiday due to–do I even have to say this?–their parade.
And it’s fitting because their approach to the labor shortage shows a gratitude mindset, should they decide to take it.
From their spokesperson:
Supporting our store colleagues is a great opportunity to build camaraderie with teammates and be a part of making the holiday shopping experience for our customers special. This also gives our corporate colleagues a valuable opportunity to interact and get direct feedback from customers.
An internal memo mentioned that corporate folks could do grunt work, allowing retail staff to focus on the customer experience.
In other words, this isn’t a problem. It really is a “valuable opportunity.”
Macy’s labor shortage has a temporary solution, and meanwhile “Corporate” won’t be this insulated, distant decision-maker. It will be a group of servers who are also gathering valuable feedback on what will further improve the customer experience.
Another example of problems that are actually opportunities: Artist Damon Albarn found himself (like all of us) shut down during the pandemic. So he used the time to further develop a previous commission into a full album. It’s absolutely beautiful.
My mom recently shared with me a thought from a pastor: When St. Paul told the Thessalonians to “in everything give thanks,” the “in” was important.
You aren’t required to give thanks for everything that happens to you. But you can still find ways to give thanks in those circumstances.
I’m not sure we’ll get a news bulletin that Macy’s CEO and board members volunteered this holiday weekend. But I hope they do. It would be an absolute blessing to them.
Happy Thanksgiving from Hip Socket.